Presidential hopefuls exit in Chile cabinet shuffle

Chilean President Sebastian Piñera shuffled his cabinet to allow ministers with presidential aspirations to leave, as his embattled conservative coalition seeks support before presidential elections in November 2013.

The unpopular Piñera's right-wing bloc suffered a loss in local elections last month, which likely accelerated the departure of presidential hopefuls bracing for leftist former President Michelle Bachelet to make a comeback bid.

Public Works Minister Laurence Golborne, a charismatic businessman, and Defence Minister Andres Allamand, a seasoned politician, who are seen as the right's best chance to retain the presidency, both left the government.

"(Golborne and Allamand) are taking up what I see as the most noble of duties, missions and responsibilities that a citizen of our country can undertake: aspiring to the presidency," Piñera said at a ceremony to mark the cabinet change. "Go travel our country, region by region ... to conquer a new majority of Chileans."

Many Chileans hoped Piñera, a former airline magnate, would tackle social inequalities in Chile more effectively than his predecessors, but polls show they are disappointed so far.

Piñera's trusted advisor Interior Minister Rodrigo Hinzpeter was appointed Defense Minister, government spokesman Andres Chadwick was named Interior Minister and Santiago's governor Cecilia Perez became spokeswoman. Deputy Public Works Minister Loreto Silva replaced Golborne as minister.

National Heritage minister Catalina Parot also left in Pinera's third sweeping cabinet change, which is not expected to significantly affect policy in the world No. 1 copper producer.